Mini-stein bottle cover

ABSTRACT

A mini-stein bottle cover includes a bottle neck engagement clip including a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and a lid mount section and a bottle cover lid pivotably mounted on the lid mount section above the bottle neck engagement clip. The bottle neck engagement section of the bottle neck engagement clip includes left and right curved arms operative to be flexed outwards from one another to fit around a bottle neck and to flex towards one another upon being released to frictionally engage a bottle neck thereby frictionally supporting the bottle neck engagement clip on a bottle neck. Finally, the bottle cover lid is pivotable between a covering position to cover a top opening in a bottle and an open position pivoted upwards and outwards from the bottle neck engagement section such that a top opening in a bottle is accessible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to the filing date of related provisional patent application serial No. 60/421,586 filed Oct. 10, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to bottle covering devices and, more particularly, to a mini-stein bottle cover which includes a bottle neck engagement clip having a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and a lid mount section and a bottle cover lid pivotably mounted on the lid mount section above the bottle neck engagement clip such that the bottle neck engagement section may be frictionally mounted on the top of the bottle neck with the bottle cover lid pivotably covering the top opening of the bottle to prevent contaminants from entering the bottle and to prevent the accidental release of the bottle contents through the top opening.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Beverages are sold and stored in many different kinds of containers, including cans, bottles, plastic jugs, and other such liquid containers. It has generally been found, however, that glass bottles are a preferred manner of conveyance for beverages such as soda and beer due to the non-contaminative properties of glass and the ease with which glass containers may be manufactured. The vast majority of glass containers manufactured include a metal lid which is affixed to the top opening of the glass bottle covering the top opening prior to opening of the bottle. The disadvantage of glass bottles, however, is that once the top metal cap is removed, it is not designed to be replaced on the top of the bottle and thus the bottle contents must be consumed immediately after opening the bottle. There have been numerous attempts in the prior art to construct devices which will reseal a glass container, and each of these include inherent advantages and disadvantages. However, the vast majority of these devices are designed to completely reseal the top opening of the bottle in a fluid-tight manner, and thus include elaborate and intricate mechanisms to effectuate this seal. Unfortunately, however, to date there has yet to be proposed a bottle cover which may be quickly and easily applied to beer and soda bottles, yet does not create a fluid-type seal, merely effectuating prevention of foreign articles from falling into the bottle and generally preventing accidental spillage of the contents of the bottle.

[0006] Another disadvantage of the bottle covers found in the prior art is that the majority of them are not visually pleasing and certainly do not act to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the bottle when being used on the bottle. The various fluid-type gaskets, mechanical closing devices, and other such apparatuses used in the prior art each detract from the appearance of the bottle and furthermore do not contribute to the enjoyment of the drinking experience. There is therefore a need for a bottle cover which not only will prevent foreign objects from entering the bottle and generally prevent accidental spillage of the bottle contents, but will also enhance the appearance of the bottle and increase the enjoyment of the drinking experience of the contents of the bottle.

[0007] One of the most popular and well-known locations for beer drinking is Germany. An extremely popular drinking glass design of Germany is the beer stein, which includes a base liquid container and a top stein cover which is pivotally mounted on top of the beverage container. The beer steins are usually elaborately decorated and include various pictures or indicia which are visually pleasing. The simple physical act of opening and closing the lid to the container contributes much to the enjoyment of the experience of drinking out of a stein and it is only natural to wish to extend this type of enjoyment to the drinking out of various other types of containers. Therefore, there is a need for a bottle cover which is generally shaped like a stein top to be pivoted onto and off of the bottle opening to increase the enjoyment of drinking out of the bottle.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mini-stein bottle cover.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ministein bottle cover which includes a bottle neck engagement clip having a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and lid mount section and a bottle cover lid pivotably mounted on the lid mount section above the bottle neck engagement clip.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ministein bottle cover in which the bottle neck engagement section includes left and right curved arms operative to be flexed outwards from one another to fit around a bottle neck and to flex towards one another upon being released to frictionally engage the bottle neck, thereby frictionally supporting the bottle neck engagement clip on a bottle neck.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ministein bottle cover in which the bottle cover lid is pivotable between a covering position generally parallel with the bottle neck engagement section to cover the top opening of a bottle and an open position pivoted upwards and outwards from the bottle neck engagement section, thus permitting access to the top opening of the bottle.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ministein bottle cover which includes a bottle cover lid generally shaped like the top cover of a German beer stein to enhance the appearance and promote the increased enjoyment of drinking from a bottle.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ministein bottle cover further including a lever pivotably attached to the lid mount section of the bottle neck engagement clip and further attached to the bottle cover lid such that the bottle cover lid may be pivoted away from the top opening of the bottle by engagement of the lever by a user of the present invention.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ministein bottle cover which is operative to generally prevent the incursion of foreign objects into the bottle and generally prevent the accidental spillage of the contents of the bottle while not forming a fluid-tight seal between the bottle cover lid and the top opening of the bottle on which the mini-stein bottle cover is mounted.

[0015] Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a mini-stein bottle cover which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and is safe, effective, and enjoyable in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention provides a mini-stein bottle cover including a bottle neck engagement clip including a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and a lid mount section and a bottle cover lid pivotably mounted on the lid mount section above the bottle neck engagement clip. The bottle neck engagement section of the bottle neck engagement clip further includes left and right curved arms operative to be flexed outwards from one another to fit around a bottle neck and to flex towards one another upon being released to frictionally engage a bottle neck thereby frictionally supporting the bottle neck engagement clip on a bottle neck. Finally, the bottle cover lid is pivotable between a covering position generally parallel with the bottle neck engagement section to cover a top opening in a bottle on which the bottle neck engagement clip is mounted and an open position pivoted upwards and outwards from the bottle neck engagement section such that a top opening in a bottle is accessible.

[0017] It is clear that the features of this invention combine to form an easily useable and enjoyment-enhancing mini-stein bottle cover for use with bottles of many different sizes and shapes. For example, a user of the present invention can merely snap the ministein bottle cover onto a bottle and instantly convert the bottle to an entertaining drinking vessel. Furthermore, the bottle cover will generally prevent the incursion of foreign objects into the bottle while simultaneously acting to prevent accidental spillage of the bottle contents. Finally, because the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, it may be used in a variety of situations and for a variety of purposes, such as souvenirs and novelty items all the way up to being used in elaborate Oktoberfest celebrations. It is thus seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention removably mounted on a bottle.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a detail side elevational view of the present invention covering and uncovering the top opening in a bottle.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the present invention mounted on a bottle.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main elements of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention is shown best in FIGS. 1-4 as including two main elements, the first being a bottle neck engagement clip 12 and the second being the bottle cover lid 30. The bottle neck engagement clip 12 preferably includes two subsections, the first being a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section 14 and the second being a lid mount section 24, the lid mount section 24 extending upwards and outwards from the bottle neck engagement section as shown best in FIGS. 2-4. The bottle neck engagement clip 12 is preferably constructed of a semi-flexible plastic material which includes a degree of flexibility, yet also includes memory such that upon a section of the bottle neck engagement clip 12 being flexed, it will return to its original position after the tension is removed therefrom.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment, bottle neck engagement section 14 would include left and right bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b which form a general U-shape with the inner walls 18 a and 18 b of the bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b combining to form a generally arcuate, semi-cylindrical wall surface, as shown best in FIG. 4. It is further preferred that the outer ends 20 a and 20 b of bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b be curved outwards to facilitate the grasping and flexing of the bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b away from one another to permit the bottle neck engagement section 14 to be mounted onto a bottle 50. Of course, it should be noted that, although the present invention has been described as including two bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b, the bottle neck engagement section 14 may be formed as a single integral piece with the curves as shown best in FIG. 4, but for purposes of this description, it is clearer to describe the bottle neck engagement section 14 as including two separate bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b so that the placement of the bottle neck engagement section 14 onto a bottle 50 may be more easily understood.

[0024] Extending upwards and outwards from the rear section of bottle neck engagement section 14 is lid mount section 24 which, in the preferred embodiment, would extend upwards and outwards from bottle neck engagement section 14 and would further include a lid mount axle 26 onto which the bottle cover lid 30 would be mounted. It should be noted that the exact size, shape, and design of the lid mount section 24 is not critical to the present invention so long as the bottle cover lid 30 may be pivotably mounted on the lid mount section 24 and the lid mount section 24 is generally pleasing in appearance as well as being functional. It is further preferred that lid mount section 24 be constructed of similar plastic to that used in connection with bottle neck engagement section 14 in order to permit the eventual production of bottle neck engagement clip 12 as a single unit by use of an injection molding process or the like.

[0025] The bottle cover lid 30 is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as including a lid section 32, a lid lever 34 extending outwards from the lid section 32, and an axle engagement clip 36 depending downwards from either the lid section 32 or lid lever 34, depending on the specific arrangement of the lid section 32 and lid lever 34. In the preferred embodiment, the axle engagement clip 36 would clip on to the lid mount axle 26, as shown in FIG. 3, to permit the bottle cover lid 30 to be pivoted between a covering position generally parallel with the bottle neck engagement clip 12 and an open position pivoted upwards and outwards from the bottle neck engagement clip 12 which permits access to the top opening 54 in bottle 50.

[0026] It is preferred that the bottle cover lid 30 be constructed of a hard plastic material which will stand up to the frequent opening and closing of the bottle cover lid 30 and therefore increase the lifespan of the mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention. Furthermore, it is preferred that the bottle cover lid 30 be manufactured as a single piece through an injection molding process or the like so that the bottle cover lid 30 will not be prone to breaking at the connection points between the various elements of the bottle cover lid 30. It is further preferred that the bottle cover lid 30 be constructed to resemble a Germanic beer stein lid, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, to increase the enjoyment of the drinking experience, although it should also be noted that numerous variations in the appearance of the bottle cover lid may be incorporated into the present invention so long as the functional characteristics are maintained.

[0027] A user of the mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention would removably mount the mini-stein bottle cover 10 on a bottle 50 in the following manner. The bottle neck engagement section 14 is designed to fit around the neck 52 of the bottle 50, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A user of the mini-stein bottle cover 10 would align the bottle neck engagement section 14 with the neck 52 of bottle 50 with the forward opening between bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b adjacent the neck 52. By forcing the bottle neck engagement section 14 of bottle neck engagement lid 12 forward, the bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b are forced apart due to the contact of inner walls 18 a and 18 b with the neck 52 of bottle 50. However, due to the semi-flexible nature of the construction material used in the bottle neck engagement section 14, as the bottle neck engagement section 14 moves forward onto and around neck 52 of bottle 50, the bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b flex towards one another to frictionally secure the neck 52 of bottle 50 between the bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3. Furthermore, due to the generally arcuate shape of the inner walls 18 a and 18 b of bottle neck engagement arms 16 a and 16 b, a majority of the circumference of neck 52 of bottle 50 is engaged by the inner walls 18 a and 18 b to frictionally secure the bottle neck engagement section 14 on the neck 52 of bottle 50.

[0028] Due to the vertical positioning of bottle neck engagement clip 12 on neck 52 of bottle 50, the bottle cover lid 30 is positioned to substantially cover and close top opening 54 of bottle 50, as shown best in FIG. 2. Therefore, bottle cover lid 30 is operative to cover top opening 54, and foreign objects are generally prevented from entering the bottle, as well as generally preventing accidental spillage of the bottle contents. The user of the mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention may then use his or her thumb or other digit to engage the outer end of lever 34 to pivot the bottle cover lid 30 about lid mount axle 26, thus pivoting the bottle cover lid 30 to the open position and permitting access to the top opening 54 of bottle 50. Releasing the lever 34 then permits the bottle cover lid 30 to pivot downwards to re-cover the top opening 54 of bottle 50, and thus the user of the mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention may repeatedly uncover and recover his or her bottle 50 by use of the present invention. It is also contemplated to include a spring device (not shown) to tension the bottle cover lid 30 to pivot the bottle cover lid 30 about lid mount axle 26 to return to the closed position when lever 34 is released.

[0029] The “Mini Bottle Stein” was designed to create a protective cover/seal/cap on any drinking bottle that has had the original cap removed for consumption. This type of cover/seal/cap keeps any foreign debris like, bees, flies, mosquitoes, ants, dirt, sawdust, etc. from entering the mouth of the bottle during consumption. Not only is this product useful for the consumer but it also acts as a great tool for retailers to promote and advertise business.

[0030] The “Mini Bottle Stein” articulates, allowing it to open and close with light thumb or finger pressure. The “Mini Bottle Stein” resembles the “stein” type lids that are used originally on beer mugs in Germany, only these “steins” are miniatures that fit on the bottle itself. “Mini Bottle Steins” are designed to fit any type of bottle whether it is plastic or glass, used for soda, beer, water, tea. etc. It will fit onto these bottles by snapping onto the neck of each bottle as was previously described. The top of the “stein” will allow for any type of design, for example: animal heads/busts, insects, cartoon characters, symbols, numbers, statues, and nature of all kind. Even the clip itself permits enough space to print names and logos. “Mini Bottle Steins” can be designed into any shape imaginable that will fulfill the consumer's needs. They also will be made of any color or color coatings like silver, gold, nickel, etc.

[0031] The “Mini Bottle Steins” are fully washable and reusable. They are constructed of durable plastic or soft metal. The top portion of the stein and the lower portion are produced separate. These two pieces are simply snapped together to form the complete “Mini Bottle Stein”. There is no other assembly required.

[0032] It is to be understood that numerous additions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, and construction materials used in connection with the mini-stein bottle cover 10 of the present invention may be modified or changed depending upon the desired performance characteristics of the present invention. Also, the overall appearance of the mini-stein bottle cover 10 may be modified to resemble other types of drinking vessel lids, or may include various other types of indicia and designs for use as souvenirs and the like. Finally, although the present invention has been described for use in connection with a bottle, it should be noted that only minor modifications will permit the use of the present invention with cans and plastic bottles for which the appearance of a mini-stein would be conducive to enhancing the drinking experience.

[0033] There has therefore been shown and described a mini-stein bottle cover 10 which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives. 

I claim:
 1. A mini-stein bottle cover comprising: a bottle neck engagement clip including a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and a lid mount section; a bottle cover lid pivotably mounted on said lid mount section above said bottle neck engagement clip; said bottle neck engagement section of said bottle neck engagement clip having left and right curved arms operative to be flexed outwards from one another to fit around a bottle neck and to flex towards one another upon being released to frictionally engage a bottle neck thereby frictionally supporting said bottle neck engagement clip on a bottle neck; and said bottle cover lid operative to pivot between a covering position generally parallel with said bottle neck engagement section to cover a top opening in a bottle on which said bottle neck engagement clip is mounted and an open position pivoted upwards and outwards from said bottle neck engagement section such that a top opening in a bottle is accessible.
 2. The mini-stein bottle cover of claim 1 wherein said bottle neck engagement clip is constructed of molded plastic.
 3. The mini-stein bottle cover of claim 1 wherein said left and right bottle neck engagement arms of said bottle neck engagement section further include inner walls which combine to form a generally arcuate, semi-cylindrical wall surface and the outer ends of said bottle neck engagement arms are curved outwards from one another to facilitate the separation of said bottle neck engagement arms away from one another to permit said bottle neck engagement section to be mounted onto a bottle.
 4. The mini-stein bottle cover of claim 1 wherein said bottle cover lid is constructed to resemble a Germanic beer stein lid.
 5. The mini-stein bottle cover of claim 1 wherein said lid mount section further comprises a lid mount axle and said bottle cover lid further comprises an axle engagement clip, said axle engagement clip operative to clip on to said lid mount axle thus permitting said bottle cover lid to be pivoted between said covering position and said open position.
 6. A mini-stein bottle cover comprising: a bottle neck engagement clip including a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and a lid mount section; a bottle cover lid movably mounted on said lid mount section above said bottle neck engagement clip; said bottle neck engagement section of said bottle neck engagement clip having left and right curved arms operative to be flexed outwards from one another to fit around a bottle neck and to flex towards one another upon being released to frictionally engage a bottle neck thereby frictionally supporting said bottle neck engagement clip on a bottle neck; lever means mounted on said bottle cover lid positioned for engagement by a user of said mini-stein bottle cover; said bottle cover lid operative to be moved by engagement of said lever means by a user of said mini-stein bottle cover, said bottle cover lid being movable between a covering position over said bottle neck engagement section to cover a top opening in a bottle on which said bottle neck engagement clip is mounted and an open position moved from over said bottle neck engagement section such that a top opening in a bottle is accessible.
 1. In combination: a bottle having a top opening, a body and a neck interposed between said top opening and said body; and a mini-stein bottle cover comprising: a bottle neck engagement clip including a semi-flexible generally U-shaped arcuate bottle neck engagement section and a lid mount section; a bottle cover lid pivotably mounted on said lid mount section above said bottle neck engagement clip; said bottle neck engagement section of said bottle neck engagement clip having left and right curved arms operative to be tensioned outwards from one another to fit around said neck of said bottle and to return towards one another upon removal of said outwards tension to frictionally engage said neck of said bottle thereby frictionally supporting said bottle neck engagement clip on said neck of said bottle; and said bottle cover lid operative to pivot between a covering position over said bottle neck engagement section to cover said top opening in said bottle on which said bottle neck engagement clip is mounted and an open position pivoted upwards and outwards from said bottle neck engagement section such that said top opening in said bottle is accessible. 